cushioned vinyl

If you have installed large-area wall and floor coverings made of PVC in the kitchen or bathroom of your old building, extreme caution is advised. As recently as the 1980s, so-called cushion vinyl, which contains an extremely high proportion of asbestos, was used in many German apartments.

It happens again and again that ignorant craftsmen release the highly carcinogenic material when repairing or replacing the coverings and contaminate the entire room.

To be on the safe side, you should have an asbestos test performed on your PVC floors and walls even before the renovation. Simply send in a sample and quickly have certainty about whether your building material contains asbestos.

Short information:

• Application, products: PVC rolls, bottom coated with white or light grey 1 mm millboards
• Types of asbestos: chrysotile
• Asbestos content: up to 90 % in the millboard

Frequently asked questions about Cushion vinyl and CV flooring

Which floor coverings can contain asbestos?

What is cushioned vinyl?

Cushion vinyl or cushioned vinyl is a flexible PVC wall or floor covering made of several layers. The bottom layer is usually made of cardboard containing over 90 percent asbestos. In some products, the asbestos board is also found in the middle layers. The covering is either loosely laid or fixed with an adhesive, which may also contain proportions of asbestos. In Germany, the product was offered as sheet material in widths of two to four meters and was also called CV flooring, cushion vinyl flooring or PVC flooring.

In addition, there are other floor and wall coverings contaminated with asbestos, but they have different properties and must be treated differently accordingly. Examples of these are so-called floor-flex-boards and asbestos board.

How can I recognize cushion vinyl containing asbestos?

Because of its water resistance, cushion vinyl flooring was used primarily in kitchens as so-called PVC flooring starting in the 1970s. Less common was its use as wall covering around bathtubs and sinks in bathrooms. In keeping with the tastes of the 70s and 80s, the design was meant to imitate tiles with floral patterns in bright colors. However, by appearance alone, even the expert is very difficult to tell whether it is asbestos-containing materials. Only an asbestos test can provide clear information about this.

Why was asbestos used for cushion vinyl?

The CV flooring was both cost-effective and very robust and durable. Asbestos gave the product the necessary stability and provided impact sound insulation as well as high resistance to heat, liquids and chemicals. It also has a sound and heat insulating effect.

Why is asbestos in vinyl flooring so dangerous?

The asbestos content of cushion vinyl flooring varies from 40 to 98 % of the total weight. The highly carcinogenic mineral chrysotile, also known as fiber serpentine, white asbestos or picrosmine, is only weakly bound in the paperboard. In principle, it is isolated from the upper layers. However, there is a risk of sudden release of large quantities of asbestos fibers when the wall and floor coverings are damaged or removed. That is why the asbestos test should be carried out before any renovation work begins. Under no circumstances should such floor and wall coverings be torn from the surface by force.

When does asbestos-containing cushion vinyl need to be removed?

For weakly bound asbestos products, there is a sanitation requirement in Germany. This is one of the reasons why many public buildings were extensively renovated in the 1990s. Property owners should take action as soon as possible, especially if suspicious materials are worn or damaged.

How is cushion vinyl to be disposed of?

Due to the danger to people and the environment, only certified specialist companies may process materials containing asbestos. Customers should make sure that the craftsmen have a certificate of competence for the recognized training course in accordance with TRGS 519. During renovation, not only must the covering be removed, but the residue from the adhesive and covering must also be sanded off the surface. The waste must be stored in a damp place to prevent the release of asbestos fibers. There are also specifications for waste transportation.

Is covering or sealing of floor coverings containing asbestos allowed?

Covering is prohibited for materials containing asbestos!

According to several court rulings and the Ordinance on Hazardous Substances (GefStoffV), asbestos-contaminated floor coverings as well as adhesive residues containing asbestos may not be covered by other floor coverings and may not be sealed. Details can be found in this article.

What rights do tenants have in the case of cushion vinyl containing asbestos?

In the case of weakly bound asbestos products such as Cushion vinyl, renovation is mandatory in Germany. Beforehand, the urgency of a renovation and the necessary measures must be determined on the basis of the "Guideline for the Evaluation and Renovation of Weakly Bound Asbestos Products in Buildings". The landlord has a duty to provide information about asbestos-containing materials installed in the rented apartment. In case of doubt, the landlord must have the suspicious material tested for asbestos. If the tenant suspects asbestos in his apartment, he should submit a written request to the landlord.

Identification of asbestos in cushioned vinyl by means of SEM images and energy-dispersive element-spectra